Color filtering device for improved brightness

ABSTRACT

A color filtering member for improving the brightness of a display device is presented. The color filtering member includes colored regions (e.g., regions with RBG color filters) and black-and-white regions for transmitting white light. The black-and-white regions may be colorless gaps between adjacent colored regions. Multiple planarizing layers may be deposited on the colored regions and the black-and-white regions to form a surface that is sufficiently even. The color filtering member may include an intercepting region that extends between neighboring colored regions. The position of the intercepting region is not centered between the two colored regions that it separates. Rather, the intercepting region is shifted in the direction of rubbing (in the direction of liquid crystal alignment) to more effectively cover the regions where light leakage occurs. This color filtering member may be combined with an array member and a liquid crystal layer to form a display device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/745,436, filed on Dec. 23, 2003 which relies for priority upon KoreanPatent Application No. 2002-87957 filed on Dec. 31, 2002, the contentsof which are herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a display device and moreparticularly to a color filtering member in the display device.

2. Description of the Related Art

An LCD apparatus generally includes an array substrate, a color filtersubstrate, and liquid crystals interposed between the any substrate andthe color filter substrate. The liquid crystals have an anisotropicdielectric constant such that the LCD apparatus can display images by inresponse to variations in the electric field that is applied to theliquid crystals. The liquid crystals transmit different amounts of lightdepending on the intensity of the applied electric field.

LCD apparatus can generally be classified into three types: 1) areflective type LCD apparatus that uses an external light, 2) atransmissive type LCD apparatus that uses an internal light, and 3) atrans-reflective type LCD apparatus that uses both external and internallights.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional transreflectivetype LCD apparatus.

Referring to FIG. 1, the conventional transreflective type LCD includesan array substrate 110, a color filter substrate 190 and liquid crystalinterposed between the array substrate 110 and the color filtersubstrate 190.

The array substrate 110 includes a thin film transistor 120 formed on asurface of the array substrate 110. The color filter substrate 190includes a common electrode 180.

The thin film transistor 120 includes a gate electrode 122,gate-insulation layers 123 and 124, an active pattern 125, a sourceelectrode 126 and a drain electrode 127.

A transparent material, such as an acrylic organic layer 130, is formedon the thin film transistor 120 and the array substrate 140 with apredetermined thickness. In order to improve the brightness of thedevice, a surface of the acrylic organic layer 130 (e.g., the uppersurface as shown in FIG. 1) is patterned to enhance diffusion of light.For example, the surface may be formed with concave and/or convexportions. Also, the acrylic organic layer 130 has an opening thatexposes the drain electrode 127.

A transmissive electrode 140 for transmitting internal light and areflective electrode 160 for reflecting external light are successivelyformed on the acrylic organic layer 130. An insulating layer 150 isformed between the transmissive electrode 140 and the reflectiveelectrode 160. The reflective electrode 160 and the insulating layer 150are deposited discontinuously to form an opening 165 through whichinternal light is transmitted. The transmissive electrode 140 typicallyincludes ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) or IZO (Indium Zinc Oxide), and thereflective electrode 160 typically includes aluminum oraluminum-neodymium alloy.

The color filter substrate 190 having the common electrode 180 isdisposed on the array substrate 110 and the liquid crystal 170 ispositioned between the array substrate 110 and the color filtersubstrate 190 to form a transreflective type LCD.

Popular uses for LCDs include portable or handheld applications. Whilehandheld applications generally require low power consumption due totheir reliance on batteries as the power source, it is also desirable toprovide high brightness, which increases power consumption. In order tosatisfy these two demands that conflict with each other, a new method oflowering power consumption without sacrificing brightness level isdesired.

Various methods have been adopted in an attempt to enhance brightnesswithout significantly increasing power consumption. For example, thenumber of lamps or optical sheets that are used with an internal lightsource have been increased, the twist angle of liquid crystals has beenvaried, and black matrix has been removed from the color filtersubstrate. A black matrix is a light-shielding film that is typicallypositioned between different-colored pixels to keep the colors clearlyseparated. However, these methods tend to be accompanied by one or moreundesirable side effects, such as an increased cost of manufacture orlowered contrast ratio, both of which adversely affect the reliabilityof an LCD apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a currently available color filtersubstrate that does not include black matrix. The color filter substrate200 of FIG. 2 includes an intercepting region 220, such as a blackmatrix, and a color filter 230 having R, G and B color filters 232 a,234 a and 236 a. The intercepting region 220 is formed on an areasurrounding a display area, which is where the R, G and B color filters232 a, 234 a and 236 a are formed. While the intercepting regions thatare typically located between the R, G and B color filters 232 a, 234 aand 236 a are removed from the color filter substrate 200, the effect ofthe intercepting regions is achieved by partially overlapping the R, Gand B color filter 232 a, 234 a and 236 a that are adjacent to eachother. The overlapped portions of the color filters function as theblack matrix, thereby improving the brightness of the LCD apparatus.

The color filter substrate 200 includes a planarizing layer 240 formedon the color filter 230 to provide a substantially flat surface. Theplanarizing layer 240 is needed partly because the surface formed by thepartially-overlapping color filters is more rugged than what isdesirable for formation of the common electrode 250. Once a desiredlevel of flatness is achieved by deposition of the planarizing layer240, a common electrode 250 formed on the planarizing layer 240. Aspacer 262 is formed on the common electrode 250 for maintaining auniform colorless gap between the color filter substrate 200 and anarray substrate 110 (see FIG. 1) when the two substrates are combined.

As shown in FIG. 2, however, the planarizing layer 240 does not providean even surface that is desired for deposition of the common electrode250. When the color filter substrate 200 having a non-flat surface isassembled into an LCD apparatus, light tends to leak through the slopedportions of the common electrode 250, reducing the brightness level. Inorder to achieve the goal of improving brightness without a significantincrease in the power consumption level, methods are needed to minimizethis light leakage.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes a color filtering device for improvingbrightness and a display device made with such color filtering member.The color filtering device includes a substrate with a first coloredregion and a second colored region formed thereon, wherein the secondcolored region is positioned a predetermined distance away from thefirst colored region in a first direction, forming a colorless gap. Thecolorless gap between the first and second colored regions to functionsas a black-and-white region for transmitting white light. A thirdcolored region is formed on the substrate such that it is positionedaway from the first colored region in a second direction. Anintercepting region is positioned between the first colored region andthe third colored region, and the first and the third colored regionshave different lengths. “Length” is the distance from the interceptingregion to an edge of the colored region that is farthest from theintercepting region. A planarizing layer is deposited on the colorlessgap and the first and the second colored regions.

In another aspect, the invention includes a display device that includesthe above color filtering device. An exemplary embodiment of the displaydevice includes a first substrate, a first colored region formed on thefirst substrate, and a second colored region formed on the firstsubstrate, wherein the second colored region is positioned apredetermined distance away from the first colored region in a firstdirection, thereby forming a colorless gap between the first and secondcolored regions for transmitting white light substantially withoutwavelength-based filtration. A third colored region is formed on thesubstrate positioned away from the first colored region in a seconddirection. An intercepting region is positioned between the firstcolored region and the third colored region for separating the first andthe third colored regions. A first planarizing layer is deposited on thecolorless gap and on the first and the second colored regions. A secondsubstrate is coupled to the first substrate and a liquid crystal layeris interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate.Signal lines and transistors are formed on the second substrate. Thefirst colored region and the second colored region are aligned along afirst direction with the colorless gap separating the first coloredregion and the second colored region. The first and third coloredregions have different lengths, wherein the length is the distance fromthe intercepting region to an edge of a colored region that is farthestfrom the intercepting region.

The invention also includes making the above color filtering device. Themethod includes forming colored regions on a substrate, formingblack-and-white regions on the substrate such that the black-and-whiteregions separate the colored regions that are arranged along a firstdirection. Each of the black-and-white regions comprises a colorless gapfor transmitting white light. The method also includes forming aninterception region for separating the colored regions that are arrangedin a second direction. The intercepting region substantially blockslight, and the colored regions that are separated by the interceptingregion have different lengths. “Length” is measured from theintercepting region to an edge of a colored region that is farthest awayfrom the intercepting region. A first planarizing layer is deposited onthe colored regions and the black-and-white regions such that the firstplanarizing layer is adjacent to the substrate in the colorless gap.

Another method of making a color filtering device includes forming afirst colored region on a substrate, forming a second colored region onthe substrate, and forming an intercepting region on the substrate suchthat the intercepting region separates the first and the second coloredregions. The intercepting region is positioned such that the firstcolored region is longer than of the second colored region “Length” is adistance from the intercepting region to an edge of a colored regionthat is farthest from the intercepting region.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other advantages of the present invention will becomereadily apparent by reference to the following detailed description whenconsidered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional transreflectivetype LCD apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a currently available colorfilter substrate from which a black matrix is removed;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are cross-sectional views of a color filter substrateaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a color filter substrate accordingto another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an LCD device according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing a color filter substrate according toanother exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7A is a schematic view showing an LCD apparatus for preventingleakage of light;

FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the LCD apparatus shown in FIG. 7A;and

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an LCD apparatus according toanother exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As used herein, a first material being “formed on” a second materialmeans the first and the second material are physically coupled, directlyor indirectly. A “step difference,” as used herein, indicates the degreeof unevenness of a surface caused by underlying regions' havingdifferent thicknesses. “White light,” as used herein, refers to lightthat appears substantially colorless to the naked eye, usually having awide range of wavelengths.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are cross-sectional views showing a method offabricating a color filter substrate according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention. In FIGS. 3A and 3B, a color filtersubstrate that reduces the step difference between color filters will bedescribed.

Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, a color filtering member 300 includes afirst substrate 310, a color filter layer 330 having a plurality ofcolor filters 332 a, 334 a, 336 a, 332 b, 334 b and 336 b, a blackmatrix 320, a first planarizing layer 340 and a second planarizing layer350. The first substrate 310 may include an insulating layer. Blackmatrix 320 is formed along the outer edges of the insulating layer 310.The color filters 332 a, 334 a, 336 a, 332 b, 334 b and 336 b, whichselectively transmit light based on its wavelength, form a coloredregion on the first substrate 310. A colorless gap between the coloredregions, such as the colorless gap between the color filter 336 a andthe color filter 332 b of FIG. 3A where the first substrate 310 isexposed, forms a black-and-white region that transmits light withoutwavelength-based filtration.

The boundaries of the black-and-white region are defined by the colorfilters 332 a, 334 a, 336 a, 332 b, 334 b and 336 b. In order to improvethe contrast ratio of the displayed image, the adjacently positionedcolor filters are partially overlapped. The overlapped portions of thecolor filters 332 a, 334 a, 336 a, 332 b, 334 b and 336 b effectivelyfunction as the black matrix 320.

To reduce the step difference caused by the color filters 332 a, 334 a,336 a, 332 b, 334 b and 336 b and the black-and-white region, the firstplanarizing layer 340 is formed over the insulating substrate 310. Inthis exemplary embodiment, the first planarizing layer 340 may include amaterial having a low viscosity, such as an organic material, therebypreventing the color filter layer 300 from being damaged and a colorantof the color filter layer 300 from leaking/spreading. After the firstplanarizing layer is deposited (e.g., with a constant spin speed), thefirst planarizing layer is cured through a baking process.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the second planarizing layer 350 is formed on thefirst planarizing layer 340 to further even out the first planarizinglayer 340 and reduce the step difference. The second planarizing layer350 may include a material having a low viscosity, such as the organicmaterial, which may be the same as or different from the material usedfor the first planarizing layer 340.

An alternative way of reducing the step difference entails usingphotolithography. However, the double-planarizing-layer method describedabove can achieve substantially the same result without additionalphotoresist and photolithography processes.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are cross-sectional views of a color filtering member300 including the color filters 332 a, 334 a, 336 a, 332 b, 334 b and336 b and the black-and-white region. These figures show the colorfiltering member 300 according to one embodiment of the inventionwherein the black-and-white region is a colorless gap betweenneighboring colored regions. Since there is no layer between the firstplanarizing layer 340 and the first substrate 310 in the colorless gap,the step difference caused by the presence of the colorless gap isrelatively large. Thus, even after depositing the first planarizinglayer 340, the surface of the planarizing layer 340 is still notsufficiently even to form an electrode thereon. The second planarizinglayer 350 covers up the unevenness of the first planarizing layer 340 toachieve a sufficiently smooth surface.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the color filtering member 300′according to another embodiment of the present invention. The colorfiltering member 300′ includes components having substantially similarstructure and function as in those of the color filtering member 300 ofFIGS. 3A and 3B, as indicated by the use of the same reference numerals.Unlike the color filtering member 300, the color filtering member 300′includes a white pixel 338 a formed in the colorless gap between theneighboring colored regions. The white pixel 338 a transmitssubstantially all incident light without wavelength-based filtration.The presence of the white pixel 338 a reduces the step difference thatneeds to be compensated by the planarizing layers. In this embodiment,the fourth planarizing layer 352 may not be necessary because the whitepixels 338 a and 338 b contribute to reducing the step difference.

In yet another embodiment, the colorless gap between the colored regionis filled with an insulating block made of the a transparent insulatingmaterial, such as the material that is used for the planarizing layer340. This insulating block may be deposited by a well-known method suchas spin coating and shaped to fill the colorless gap. Preferably, thisinsulating block is about the same height as the color filters, so thatone planarizing layer can achieve a substantially flat surface.

The color filtering member 300′ includes the first substrate 310, thecolor filter layer 330 having a colored region and a black-and-whiteregion, a black matrix 320, a third planarizing layer 342 and a fourthplanarizing layer 352. The third planarizing layer 342 and the fourthplanarizing layer 352 may be made of the same material as the first andsecond planarizing layers 340, 350, such as a low-viscosity organicmaterial. The colored region includes first color filters 332 a, 334 a,336 a, 332 b, 334 b and 336 b for transmitting red, green, and bluecolors. The color filters are prepared by mixing a transparent resinwith a dye or a pigment, and the black-and-white region includes whitepixels 338 a and 338 b having a transparent resin so as to define awhite color.

The color filters 332 a, 334 a, 336 a, 332 b, 334 b and 336 b are formedin the colored region of the substrate 310 and the white pixels 338 aand 338 b are formed on the black-and-white region of the substrate 310.The black matrix 320 is formed near an edge of the first substrate 310but not between the color filters 332 a, 334 a, 336 a, 332 b, 334 b and336 b and the white pixels 338 a and 338 b. The white pixels 338 a and338 b partially overlap the neighboring color filters to form a“separation region” that functions like a black matrix, thus improvingthe contrast ratio.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional of an a liquid crystal display (LCD)apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, an LCD apparatus includes a color filtering member300, an array member 400, liquid crystal interposed between the colorfiltering member 300 and the any member 400, and a backlight assembly(not shown) disposed under the array member 400 to generate anartificial light. The color filtering member 300 includes a firstsubstrate 310, which is a transparent substrate with or without aninsulating layer. The color filtering member 300 also includes a blackmatrix (not shown) formed on the first substrate 310, color filters 332a, 334 a and 336 a, a first planarizing layer 340, a second planarizinglayer 350, and a transparent electrode layer 360.

The black matrix may be an intercepting region or a black mask, and isformed along a portion of the first substrate 310 to intercept lightpassing through an area that frames what is generally considered to bethe display area.

Each of the color filters 332 a, 334 a and 336 a is associated with aspecific color and includes a transparent resin using a colorant, suchas a dye or a pigment. The color filters 332 a, 334 a and 336 a may beassociated with the three primary colors (red, green, and blue), orcomplementary colors.

The first planarizing layer 340 is formed over the transparent substrate310 to coat the color filters 332 a, 334 a and 336 a, thereby protectingthe color filters 332 a, 334 a and 336 a from various environmentalfactors and physical forces. The planarizing layer 340 also helpscontain the colorant in the color filters 332 a, 334 a and 336 a,preventing the colorant from undesirably spreading to neighboring parts.

The second planarizing layer 350 is formed on the first planarizinglayer 340 to further even out the surface, substantially eliminating anybumps or dips caused by the step-difference between the first colorfilters 332 a, 334 a and 336 a and the white pixel or the colorless gap.

The transparent electrode layer 360 including ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) isformed on the second planarizing layer 350, which is even enough toallow the electrode formation.

Although not shown in FIG. 5, the color filtering member 300 may furtherinclude a transparent hardened passivation layer formed on thetransparent electrode layer 360 so as to prevent upper and lowerelectrodes from being shorted due to impurities. The transparenthardened passivation layer includes SiO₂, TiO₂ and so on. An alignmentlayer (not shown) including a polyimide resin is formed on thetransparent hardened passivation layer and rubbed to align the liquidcrystals. As is well known, the alignment of the crystals is set by therubbing direction.

The array member 400 includes an insulating layer 405 and a plurality ofgate lines (not shown) and data lines (not shown) formed thereon tocreate pixels arranged in a matrix configuration. Formation of gatelines and data lines is well known. Each of the pixels has a switchingdevice, e.g., a Thin Film Transistor (TFT), that is connected tocorresponding gate and data lines. The array member 400 is combined withthe color filtering member 300 to contain the liquid crystal LCtherebetween.

Particularly, a gate pattern including a single metal layer or a doublemetal layer having chromium (Cr), aluminum (Al), molybdenum (Mo) ormolybdenum tungsten (MoW) is formed on the insulating substrate 405. Thegate pattern includes a gate line extending in one direction, a gate pad(not shown) connected to an end of the gate line so as to receive a scansignal from an external source and provide the scan signal to the gateline and a gate electrode 410 of the TFT.

The array member 400 includes a gate-insulation layer (not shown)including an inorganic material, such as silicon nitride, formed on thegate line and the insulating layer 405. An active pattern 412 comprisingpolycrystalline silicon is formed on the gate-insulation layercorresponding to the gate electrode 410.

The array member 400 includes a data pattern having a metal layer andformed on the active pattern 412 and the gate-insulation layer. The datapattern includes a first electrode (or a source electrode) 414overlapping a first area of the active pattern, a second electrode (or adrain electrode) 416 overlapping a second area of the active pattern, adata line connected to the source electrode 414 and extending in adirection substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the gateline extends, and a data pad (not shown) connected to an end of the dataline to relay an image signal from an external source to the TFT.

The array member 400 includes an organic layer 420, for example, such asan acrylic resin, formed on the data line and the gate-insulation layerwith a predetermined thickness. The organic layer 420 includes a pattern(e.g., a pattern of convex and concave portions) formed on a surfacethereof such that the surface of the acrylic organic layer 420 diffusesthe light, thereby improving the brightness. Also, the organic layer 420is provided with a via-hole 417 by partially opening the organic layer420 to expose the drain electrode 416.

To control the alignment of the liquid crystal LC, the array member 400includes a pixel electrode 430 formed on the organic layer 420 andconnected to the drain electrode 416 through the via-hole 417. The pixelelectrode 430 includes ITO or IZO, depending on the embodiment. Thepixel electrode 430 receives an image signal from the TFT and generatesan electric field with the common electrode (not shown) of the colorfiltering member 300. The pixel electrode 430 is formed within a pixelarea defined by the gate and data lines. Sometimes, to increase thereflective area by increasing the electrode surface, the pixel electrode430 extends beyond the boundaries delineated by the gate and date linesand overlays the gate and data lines.

Although not shown in FIG. 5, a reflecting layer may be formed on thepixel electrode 430 and a spacer is disposed between the color filteringmember 300 and the array member 400 so as to maintain a cell colorlessgap between the color filtering member 300 and the array member 400. Anywell-known spacers, such as a spacer having a ridged shape or a ballshape, may be used. Methods of forming spacers in a display device arewell known.

FIG. 6 is a top view of an alternative color filtering member 500according to another embodiment of the present invention. In thisembodiment, the alternative color filtering member 500 includes anintercepting region 530. In more detail, the color filtering member 500includes a colored region 510 that includes red, green, and blue (RGB)color filters, a black-and-white region 520 for transmitting whitelight, and an intercepting region 530 dividing two colored regions 510that neighbor each other in the y-direction according to the coordinatesshown in the Figure. The black-and-white region 520, which extends inthe y-direction, separates the colored regions that neighbor each otheralong the x-direction according to the coordinates of the Figure.

The colored region 510 includes an R color filter 512 for transmittingred light, a G color filter 514 for transmitting green light, and a Bcolor filter 516 for transmitting blue light. The R color filter area512 includes a first reflecting area 512 a on which a correspondingcolor filter is formed with a first thickness, a second reflecting area512 b on which a corresponding color filter is formed with a secondthickness thinner than the first thickness, and a transmitting area 512c on which no color filter is formed. Similarly, the G color filter area514 includes a first reflecting area 514 a on which a correspondingcolor filter is formed with the first thickness, a second reflectingarea 514 b on which a corresponding color filter is formed with thesecond thickness, and a transmitting area 514 c without a color filter.Likewise, the B color filter area 516 includes a first reflecting area516 a on which a corresponding color filter is formed with the firstthickness, a second reflecting area 516 b on which a corresponding colorfilter is formed with the second thickness, and a transmitting area 516c without a color filter. The black-and-white region 520 transmits whitelight, and does not include color filters.

As used herein, “four colors” refer to three color filters and a meansof transmitting white light, i.e. either a white pixel or an absence ofa color pixel. The alternative color filtering member 500, which has theintercepting region 530 and four colors, improves the brightness of anLCD apparatus. This improvement is partly due to a reduction of thesurface area that is covered by the intercepting region 530. Anotherfactor contributing to this improvement is the presence of theblack-and-white region 520 that transmits light substantially withoutloss.

In this exemplary embodiment, the intercepting region 530 extends in thex-direction and a plurality of the intercepting regions 530 are arrangedalong the y-direction. However, the invention is not limited to theparticular configuration shown in FIG. 6, and may be adapted to variousother configurations of the colored regions 510 and the black-and-whiteregions 520. For example, the intercepting region 530 may have shapesother than a straight line, such as a curved shape or a zigzaggingshape.

As shown in FIG. 7B, the intercepting region 530 partially overlaps withthe neighboring colored regions 510, forming sloped portions near theoverlapping regions. Frequently, light leakage occurs at these slopedportions near the pixel boundaries. This light leakage is highlyundesirable, as it negatively affects the contrast ratio anddeteriorates display quality.

FIG. 7A is a schematic view showing an LCD apparatus for reducing thelight leakage near the pixel boundaries. FIG. 7B is a cross-sectionalview showing the LCD apparatus shown in FIG. 7A.

Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, an LCD apparatus includes the alternativecolor filtering member 500 and an any member 600. The array member 600includes an insulating layer 605, a gate line 610, an organic layer 620,a pixel electrode 630, reflecting plates 642 and 644 and a transmissionwindow 650.

FIG. 7A shows an intercepting region 530 having a width W formed betweentwo colored regions 510 and 510′. An imaginary line I extends betweenthe two colored regions 510, 510′, about halfway between the two coloredregions 510, 510′. Currently, the intercepting region 530 is positionedso that a centerline that runs through the middle of the interceptingregion 530 (i.e., the centerline is located W/2 from an edge of theintercepting region 530) approximately coincides with the imaginary lineI. Thus, the intercepting region 530 is arranged substantiallysymmetrically with respect to the imaginary line I. This symmetry doesnot exist in the invention. In the color filtering member 500 of theinvention, the position of the intercepting region 530 is shifted in thedirection in which the alignment layer is rubbed (i.e., the direction inwhich the liquid crystals are aligned), by a predetermined distance ΔT,to form the intercepting region 530′. By shifting the interceptingregion 530 to form the intercepting region 530′, the intercepting region530′ is positioned near where the light is leaked, so that light leakagecan be efficiently reduced. In FIG. 7A, the direction of rubbing isassumed to be along the y-direction.

To prevent light from leaking when the LCD apparatus is operating in atransmissive mode, the gate line 610 formed on the array member 600 isalso shifted in the y-direction. The distance in which the gate line 610is shifted does not necessarily equal ΔT. A person of ordinary skill inthe art is able to determine the appropriate shifting distance. With theshifted gate line 610, the LCD apparatus is able to reduce the leakageof the internal light (or backlight).

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing an LCD apparatus according toanother exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Particularly, theLCD apparatus shows a cross-section taken along the line A-A′ of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 shows an LCD apparatus including the alternative color filteringmember 500, the alternative array member 600, a liquid crystal layerinterposed between the color filtering member 500 and the array member600, and an internal light source, such as a backlight assembly (notshown), disposed under the array member 600 so as to generate andprovide light to the any member 600.

The color filtering member 500 includes a transparent substrate 505, ablack matrix layer (not shown) formed on the transparent substrate 505,color filter layers 512 a, 512 b, 514 a, 514 b, 516 a and 516 b, anorganic layer 540, an insulating layer 550, and a transparent electrodelayer 560.

Particularly, the black matrix layer such as an intercepting region or ablack mask is formed on the transparent substrate 505 in a matrixconfiguration so as to mask areas between R, G and B color filtersadjacent to each other in the y-direction.

The color filters 512 a, 512 b, 514 a, 514 b, 516 a and 516 b are formedin areas defined by the black matrix layer and include one of R, G and Bcolor filter patterns. Each of the color filters 512 a, 512 b, 514 a,514 b, 516 a and 516 b has one of R, G and B colorants for coloring atransparent resin. The colorant may be a dye or a pigment. The colors ofthe color filters 512 a, 512 b, 514 a, 514 b, 516 a and 516 b aretypically primary colors (RGB) or complementary colors, but may beadjusted to a particular application. The color filters 512 a, 512 b,514 a, 514 b, 516 a and 516 b are formed by coating a photosensitiveresin including a colorant, for example, such as the dye or pigment,over a substrate and patterning the photosensitive resin using aphotolithography process.

The organic layer 540 protects the color filters 512 a, 512 b, 514 a,514 b, 516 a and 516 b from various environmental elements and externalforces and prevents the colorant from spreading to other parts. Theorganic layer 540 also planarizes the color filters 512 a, 512 b, 514 a,514 b, 516 a and 516 b, as described above. The organic layer 540includes a transparent resin such as an acrylic resin, an epoxy resinand so on.

The insulating layer 550 is formed on the organic layer 540. Theinsulating layer 550 includes a transparent metal oxide (e.g., Ta₂O₅,ZrO₂ or TiO₂) coated over the color filter. Preferably, the insulatinglayer 550 includes Ta₂O₅, or Ta₂O₅ mixed with one of ZrO₂, TiO₂ andSiO₂.

The transparent electrode layer 560 having a predetermined pattern isformed on the insulating layer 550.

Although not shown in FIG. 8, the color filtering member 500 may furtherinclude a transparent hardened passivation layer formed on thetransparent electrode layer 560 so as to prevent a common electrode ofthe color filtering member 500 and a pixel electrode of the any member600 from being shorted due to impurities. The transparent hardenedpassivation layer includes SiO₂, TiO₂ and so on. A first alignment layer(not shown) including a polyimide resin is formed on the transparenthardened passivation layer and rubbed through a rubbing process.

The array member 600 includes a first insulating layer 605, a pluralityof gate lines formed on the first insulating layer 605, a plurality ofdata lines insulated from and intersected with the gate lines, aplurality of pixels formed in a matrix configuration. Each of the pixelshas a TFT formed on an area surrounding with the gate and data lines andconnected to corresponding gate and data lines. The array member 600 iscombined with the color filtering member 500 so as to receive the liquidcrystal LC therebetween.

Particularly, a gate pattern including a single metal layer or a doublemetal layer having chromium (Cr), aluminum (Al), molybdenum (Mo) ormolybdenum tungsten (MoW) is formed on the first insulating substrate605. The gate pattern includes a gate line extended in a firstdirection, a gate pad (not shown) connected to end of the gate line soas to receive a scan signal from an external and provide the scan signalto the gate line and a gate electrode 610 of the TFT.

The array member 600 includes a gate-insulation layer (not shown)including an inorganic material, for example, such as a silicon nitride,and formed on the gate line and the first insulating layer 605. Anactive pattern 612 including polycrystalline silicon is formed on thegate-insulation layer corresponding to the gate electrode 610.

The any member 600 includes a data pattern that includes a metal layerformed on the active pattern 612 and the gate-insulation layer. The datapattern includes a source electrode 614 overlapping a first area of theactive pattern 612, a drain electrode 616 overlapping a second area ofthe active pattern 612, a data line connected to the source electrode614 and extending in a second direction substantially perpendicular tothe first direction and a data pad (not shown) connected to an end ofthe data line so as to receive an image signal from an external sourceand provide the image signal to the TFT.

The array member 600 includes an organic layer 620 formed on the dataline and the gate-insulation layer and provided with a via-hole 617 soas to partially expose the drain electrode 616.

To control the liquid crystal LC, the array member 600 includes a pixelelectrode 630 formed on the organic layer 620 and connected to the drainelectrode 616 through the via-hole 617. The pixel electrode 630 oftenincludes ITO or IZO.

The pixel electrode 630 receives the image signal from the TFT andgenerates an electric field with the common electrode (not shown) of thecolor filtering member 500. The pixel electrode 630 is formed within apixel area defined by the gate and the data lines. An edge of the pixelelectrode 630 overlaps the gate lines and the data lines, therebyobtaining a great opening ratio of the pixel electrode 630.

Although not shown in FIG. 8, a reflecting layer (not shown) may beformed on the pixel electrode 630 so as to define a reflecting area anda transmitting area. The reflecting layer is provided with alight-transmitting window and the light-transmitting window is shiftedin a predetermined direction in consideration of the gate lines.

In the above exemplary embodiments, the color filtering member 500having a first alignment layer formed along the outer portion thereofhas been described. In the color filtering member 500, the interceptingregion is shifted to a direction in which the first alignment layer isrubbed.

In addition, the array member 600 may further include a second alignmentlayer formed along an outer portion thereof. In the array member 600,the intercepting region is also shifted in a direction that correspondsto the direction in which the second alignment layer is rubbed.

Although the exemplary embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed, it is understood that the present invention should not belimited to these exemplary embodiments but various changes andmodifications can be made by one ordinary skilled in the art within thespirit and scope of the present invention as hereinafter claimed.

1. A color filtering device for a display device, comprising: asubstrate; a first colored region formed on the substrate; a secondcolored region formed on the substrate, wherein the second coloredregion is positioned a predetermined distance away from the firstcolored region in a first direction, thereby forming a colorless gapbetween the first and second colored regions to function as ablack-and-white region for transmitting white light, wherein a firstedge of the first colored region and a second edge of the second coloredregion define edges of the black-and-white region; a transparentinsulating block formed in the colorless gap and partially overlappedwith the first and second colored regions in a plan view, wherein thetransparent insulating block is sized to fill the gap and hasapproximately the same thickness as the first and the second coloredregions; and a first planarizing layer deposited on the colorless gapand the first and the second colored regions; and a third colored regionformed on the substrate and positioned a second distance away from thefirst colored region in a second direction; and an intercepting regionhaving a second width greater than the second distance and positionedbetween the first colored region and the third colored region and havinga centerline running in the first direction, wherein the first coloredregion and the third colored region overlap the intercepting region,wherein the centerline of the intercepting region is closer to the thirdcolored region than to the first colored region so that a distancebetween the intercepting region and an end of the first colored regionfarthest from the intercepting region is greater than a distance betweenthe intercepting region and an end of the third colored region farthestfrom the intercepting region.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein thecenterline of the intercepting region is closer to the third coloredregion in a direction of liquid crystal alignment.